January is the month I like to take inventory, literally and figuratively, and decide how I want the rest of my year to go. Goals, intentions, schemes, dreams. No doubt you've heard that success is encouraged by telling others of our plans. The idea is to create accountability -- they says things like, "Hey, did you say you were going to ...?" at which point I am compelled to admit that I talk a big game. But every now and then I actually get some of those things done, and it's actually very compelling to have someone show an interest in it.

In that spirit, here are some of my grand schemes for the coming year. Much as it pains me to say it, I have to disclaimer this a tiny bit: Not ALL of these things are going to happen. This is where I want to go, and I know that I can't really go in all the directions at once. But I'm willing to try. The 19th Century Explorer-Savant is my spirit animal. ;)

Glass - More glass work, more designs, more integration of materials. This is going to require some collaboration with other businesses, but that's cool. Those collaborations are getting lined up right now. I'll also be working on a larger scale than previously.

Wood - More furnishings and larger decorative items. Wood is the #1 thing I want to work into the glass, and I can't wait to see some of my design ideas made real!

Pens - Custom pen hardware. Until now, I've been relying on ready-made hardware, and just making fabulous bodies for the pens. I want to actually cast my own hardware, for truly distinctive writing tools.

Knives - The knives are an area where I really want to bring my graphic design together with the combination of metal, leather, wood, and stone to great effect.

That's just the material-specific program. I am also revamping my website and web store to be more fun and easier to use. Also: More up to date with the latest and greatest available projects, as well as some select accessory products that go well with my made things. (Pen refills, display and collection cases, etc.) I will still be involved in some local markets and other venues and events, and have added two more galleries where my work is available.

Is that all? Probably not. It always sounds tidy when it's rounded up in a nice list, right? But life is messy, especially in the studio!

For the curious, here's how to NOT ask me about my projects.

howard

1/31/2017 10:40:22

Beer taps!

Holly

1/31/2017 10:50:50

I'm on it! I swear! There's just not much to see until I get a little further into the project. It's going to be good, though. That much I can promise.